Transportation Initiatives

Victoria's compact size, the density of downtown residents and businesses, our temperate climate and the road and trail networks that link our community all encourage people to get out of their cars.

Moving away from fossil fuel dependant transportation to modes of transportation such as transit, biking and walking, help conserve energy, lower our greenhouse gases and pollution and increase human health and safety are all goals of the City of Victoria.

Did you know?

  • 43% of Victoria's total greenhouse gas emissions are from transportation
  • 90% of Victoria residents live less than 10km from their work.
  • 78% live less than 5km from their work.
  • 10% of commuters in Victoria bike to work.
  • 23% of commuters in Victoria walk to work
  • 13% of commuters in Victoria take the bus to work
  • 47% of commuters drive to work

Bicycle Parking

  • There are 1,000 bicycle parking spaces available on downtown sidewalks within metered zones.
  • There are more than 100 bicycle parking spaces in the City's five parkades. These free, covered spaces include 24 hour security. Four City parkades offer free electric bike plug-ins.

Bike Lanes and Trails

  • There are 25 km of bike lanes and 2.6 km of trails in Victoria. Although no new roads have been built since 1991, roads have been re-designed to make way for bike lanes and sidewalks.

Walking Routes

  • Canadians average 2,000 car trips a year per person that are three km or less - a distance that can easily be done on foot. Converting half of those trips to walking would reduce emissions by 250 kg per person every year. Check out the Downtown Victoria Business Association's Walk + Run Downtown Victoria guide.

Car Sharing

  • The Johnson Street Parkade is home to one of the 18 Car Share Co-op vehicles in Victoria. Car sharing can help you save thousands of dollars each year on car ownership, insurance and maintenance costs. Studies show that one Car Share vehicle can help take up to 20 other vehicles off the road.

Public Transit

Check out BC Transit's Cost Savings Calculator to see how much you can save by leaving your car at home and taking the bus. Alternatively, check out BC Transit in Victoria

BC Scrap-It Program

  • If you retire your 1995 or older vehicle with the BC Scrap-It program, you can choose from a long list of incentives including bus passes, money towards a new bike, a credit with the Victoria Car Share Co-op or rebates and savings on a new car.

If You Drive, Drive Wise

  • Ensure your vehicle tires are properly inflated.
  • Avoid idling; turn off your vehicle when you're waiting for someone.
  • Plan your route. Travel at moderate, steady speeds for maximum fuel efficiency.
  • Invest in a near zero emissions vehicle; go electric, hybrid or compact.

Bicycle Master Plan

As the Capital City of British Columbia, Victoria has many geographic, environmental and urban features that make it the "Cycling Capital of Canada." The City of Victoria is committed to encouraging more cycling, transit and walking. The City's Bicycle Master Plan proposes policies, engineering standards, enforcement measures, cycling networks and other measures to actively encourage greater cycle use and ensure maximum safety.

Related resource: CRD Bike Strategy

Greenways Plan

In 2003, the City of Victoria Greenways Plan was adopted to provide a policy framework and a series of strategies to establish a greenway system throughout the City of Victoria. This is a long-term plan that will be implemented over the next 50 years.

Harbour Pathway

A key component of the Greenways Plan is the development of a harbour pathway to connect Ogden Point to Rock Bay.

Other Resources